While most people have heard the term “general dentistry,” it can be surprising to discover the broad range of dental procedures classed in this category. In fact, general dentistry covers the majority of treatments most patients will need throughout a lifetime, from the youngest patient to the most elderly. Dr. Albert Chow provides a full range of general dentistry services, including:
- Fillings
- Exams and cleanings
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Dental bonding
- Extractions
- Safe mercury filling removal and replacement
Thousand Oaks Dentist: Dr. Albert Chow
Dr. Albert Chow has garnered a reputation for excellence in holistic dental treatments. He focuses on using the least invasive procedure to protect as much of the natural tooth structure as possible, for better outcomes. In providing any of the array of general dentistry procedures, you can be confident that your total body health and wellbeing matter to us.
Exams and Cleanings
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is important. A bi-yearly professional teeth cleaning is a critical part of maintaining oral health. The cleaning and exam allow us to identify any problems early – before a more invasive procedure becomes necessary.
Fillings: Replacing Metal with Porcelain
Many patients have metal fillings and want them removed and replaced. This procedure must be performed correctly to avoid exposure to mercury vapor during the extraction process. When performed incorrectly, the procedure can endanger the health of the patient. Dr. Chow uses very strict protocols for the removal of mercury fillings, and uses the most advanced and thorough methods to protect his patients from unnecessary exposure to mercury vapor. Your new naturally-colored fillings will be much safer and will blend perfectly with your natural tooth structure.
How Body Health and Oral Health are Connected
As a holistic dentist, Dr. Chow understands that your oral health can affect other body systems and the critical importance of keeping your teeth and gums strong and healthy. Your mouth (as is the rest of the body) is filled with various bacteria, many of which are harmless. When bacteria flourishes beyond a healthy stage, various tooth and gum problems develop that are known to negatively impact body health. Various types of medications can increase the risk of gum disease by affecting saliva production. Some of these include decongestants, painkillers, and antidepressants, which can increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and could potentially impact other body systems if not treated at once.
Several conditions and diseases are linked to poor oral health, and the Journal of Immunology study has discovered that an excess of a specific pathogen present in periodontal disease could impact heart health. At Model Smile Dentistry, we focus on keeping your teeth and gums healthy to help you avoid the effect on your other body systems.
How to Keep your Teeth and Gums Healthy
Most of us understand that to keep your mouth and teeth healthy requires twice a day brushing and flossing – but other factors can come into play, such as diet and smoking. Remember to replace your toothbrush frequently, every couple of months at a minimum, and avoid between meal snacks as much as possible. It is of the utmost importance that you have a thorough professional cleaning twice a year. Some patients may require more frequent cleanings to help ward off gum disease.
Dental Fact: Did You Know?
The CDC reports that about half the adult population in the USA suffer from some degree of periodontal disease – the leading cause of tooth loss.
Dental Bonding: Restore Your Smile
Dental bonding is an economical way to create a picture-perfect smile. The process can close gaps, fill cavities, protect exposed tooth roots, alter the length of a smaller tooth, and resolve cosmetic problems such as discoloration, chips, and cracks. Dental bonding is not typically appropriate to treat molars, due to the impact of chewing. Inlays and onlays may be the best way to fill a larger cavity that has not progressed to the point of needing a crown. You can be confident that we will proceed with the least invasive treatment to resolve any decay-related problems.
Tooth Extraction: Why and When
While we all would like to keep our natural teeth, some situations demand that a damaged tooth be extracted. These situations may involve trauma in which a tooth or teeth have been damaged, severe infection, or cases of a failed root canal. No matter what occurred or why a tooth extraction is needed, you can be confident that your comfort matters to us. Once the tooth is extracted, we can help you restore your smile with a ceramic dental implant or bridge.
Dentistry in Thousand Oaks: The Big Picture
We invite you to discover modern dentistry as it should be – with a focus on your overall wellbeing. We care about our patients and are proud of our reputation for excellence in cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry. Call Model Smile Dentistry for an appointment for any dental problem, an exam, or if you have concerns about toxic exposure – we manage all these issues with the greatest care and attention. Find out more about Dr. Albert Chow the Thousand Oaks dentist here.
